NIS America Accelerates Western Releases of Trails and Ys Series
Good news for fans of Falcom's Trails and Ys RPG series! NIS America, the Western publisher, has pledged to significantly reduce the wait times for future releases. This commitment to faster localization was announced by Senior Associate Producer Alan Costa during the recent Ys X: Nordics digital showcase.
While Costa remained tight-lipped about the specifics of their internal improvements, he emphasized their dedication to quicker turnaround times, citing the upcoming releases of Ys X: Nordics (October) and Trails Through Daybreak II (early 2025) as examples. The latter's release represents a considerable reduction in the typical timeframe for Trails game localizations.
Historically, Western fans have endured exceptionally long waits. The Trails in the Sky series, initially released in Japan in 2004, didn't see a Western release until 2011. Similarly, Trails from Zero and Trails to Azure took twelve years to reach global audiences. This delay was previously attributed to the massive amount of text requiring translation with limited personnel, as explained by a former XSEED Games localization manager.
While a two-to-three-year localization process remains the norm, NIS America assures fans that quality remains paramount. Costa stressed the importance of balancing speed and accuracy, a challenge they've been actively addressing. The recent, well-received release of Trails Through Daybreak suggests they are making significant progress.
The past delay of Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana due to translation issues serves as a reminder of the potential pitfalls. However, NIS America's renewed commitment suggests a positive shift towards delivering high-quality localizations more efficiently. The success of Trails Through Daybreak bodes well for future releases.
For a detailed review of The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak, please see our review below.
